CENTRE OF LOCAL CULTURE
RAGALNA
DESCRIPTION
Ragalna is a municipality on the mountains of around
4.000 inhabitants inside Etna Park on the south-western side of the volcano.
This part is called “Etna terrace”, just for the wide landscape extended along
the Simeto valley from the Augusta gulf until the Enna city.
The first evidences on the
origin of Ragalna are dating back to the Norman period. In a document of 1136
appears one of the old names of the village, Rachalena, referred to the gift
made by the Norman count Roger the 1st to the monastery of Saint
Nicholas in Pannacchio, which hosted the marriage of his daughter Fiandrina.
In 1780 Ragalna was
endangered by a colata flow. They say that the colata stopped near the quarter
“Eredità” after a procession of the relics of Saint Barbara, brought from the
church of Paternò,
During the second world war
was recover for many families from Paternò escaping from the shelling of Allied
troops. Become Municipality on the 1985.
Today, the town is a
touristic centre and one of the destinations most requested by the hikers.
Thanks to its position, it allows the voyagers and the people fond of nature,
of food and wine, of the sorts on open air to make hiking inside unique
scenarios.
PLACES
OF GREAT INTEREST
·
Astrophysical observatory, accessible by a guided
visit.
· Botanical garden "Nuova Gussonea", which reproduces the environments of the volcanic flora of Etna.
·
The bank of Germoplasma, to save the genetic
vegetal heritage of Etna.
·
The “nature” paths: which allow the
visitors to appreciate exceptional environments and ecosystems. the most
important are: Schiena
dell'asino, Path Italia, Path Monte
Nero degli Zappini, Path Mounts Sartorius.
·
Wine cellar Ragalna, which takes part of the 7th
Road of the wine called “Road of Etna”.
·
Catania Grottos, channels for the flow of
the lava.
TURISTIC
SERVICES:
· Kitchen lessons
· Lessons of production of Handicrafts
· Training and practice of local dances and songs
· Typical dinner of the local kitchen
· Tasting of fine local wines
· Tour of the city and environment like an open air
museum
· Protected paths to walk or bike
TOURS
ORGANIZED BY THE CLC (half or full day)
· Etna of fire and ice (bus, hiking, bike). November. Tale of the eruptions. Peculiar commerce of the ice.
§
Monte
Nero of Zappini (bus, hiking, bike). Alll
year. A path crossing the old flows of the lava.
· Track along the “Back of the donkey” and “Valley of
the Ox” (bus, hiking, bike). All year. A scenic path.
· Excursion to the astronomic observatory (bus, hiking, bike). All year.
· Excursion to the botanic garden “Nuova
Gussonea” + Germoplasma bank (bus, hiking, bike). All year.
· Visit of Catanese Grottos + wine cellar (bus, hiking, bike). All year.
· Visit to religious and baroque Catania (bus, hiking, bike). All year.
EVENTS
AND EXPERIENCES NOT TO MISS
· Feast of bread in Ragalna (July). Taste of different types of Sicilian and local bread.
· Religious feast of the Holy Week
· “Diavulazzi of Easter” in Adrano in province of Catania (Easter).
· Strawberry festival (June)
· Pistachios festival (end September).
· Doremus Dominum, a path crossing the nativities of art
· Feast of the Bier, with concert of local musical groups. June
· Etna Under the Stars, a kermesse with a program full
of entertainments. August
· Feast of the Our Lady of Carmelo (last Sunday of September). Last Sunday of September. Religious feast
cheered by local food specialties.
· “Ragalnese Autumn – A Volcano to Taste”.
Starts with the feast of the grape harvest
(November) until 6th of January: market of typical products and
local handicrafts.
· Saint Martin feast. Market of local products, where is possible to taste the bread roll
with sausages and “caliceddi” a characteristic vegetable.
CONTACTS
Persons of contact:
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